Opinion
Australia is on the map but not on the minds of South-East Asia
Greater economic engagement with Southeast Asia is needed not only for Australia’s sustained prosperity but also for its political clout as a bona fide Asian power.
Kyung-wha KangCEO of Asia SocietyEven in this age of distance and time-defying technologies, geography is fate in the life of nations, and the first order of statecraft is to strengthen peace and prosperity with your closest neighbours.
The legendary Australian diplomat Richard Woolcott was keenly aware of this when in 1967 he started orienting the country’s foreign policy towards Asia. Six decades later, the mission he set out to achieve is still a work in progress.
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